Youth Empowerment

We believe in the potential in youth as leaders of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to empower and inspire youth from different communities to become leaders for social change together. Our vision is to grow youth leaders rooted in community to create a more just and equitable world for all.

Our Youth Empowerment Programs provide middle school, high school, and college-aged youth the opportunity to gain critical thinking skills and leadership skills outside of an academic setting through education, service, and interpersonal development. HANA Center is a safe and brave space. We welcome all youth from any background or experience.

Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity (FYSH)

Fighting Youth Shouting out for Humanity (FYSH) is HANA Center's social justice youth leadership council. We consist of high school and college aged students who work to create positive systemic change that will uplift the most vulnerable people in our community and advance liberation of all people. FYSH's pillars center around Citizenship for All, Education for All, Health for All, and Justice for All. We advance these pillars through education, organizing, advocacy, empowerment, art, critical analysis, and a shared vision of a more just and equitable world. We make our voices heard by developing and leading campaigns, mobilizing young people to take collective action, educating legislators & holding them accountable, and sharing experiences and knowledge to fight and shout out for our collective humanity.

HANAsori: After School Matters

HANAsori: Korean Traditional Drumming is a program offered in partnership with After School Matter designed to support high school youth through cultural education and leadership development. HANAsori teens will learn four different instruments used in pungmul, or Korean traditional drumming. Teens will then have the opportunity to perform in community festivals, rallies, and marches. In addition to learning a musical tradition, HANAsori aims to grow young leaders rooted in community. Teens learn how to use culture as a way to organize, develop leadership skills, and do civic engagement work. Through peer-led workshops, our young leaders learn about various issues that matter to them and gain the tools to speak up and take action for our communities. Additionally, teens learn personal skills such as budgeting and preparing for college. This program is offered three times a year. Spring and Fall are ten week sessions each, and the Summer session is held for six weeks. To enroll, please click here and search for our program using the keyword: Korean Traditional Drumming.

What is pungmul? It is an ensemble of traditional Korean percussion instruments that represent various elements of nature and carries a tradition of activism and cultural pride. HANA Center's pungmul ensemble plays and performs at immigrant rights rallies, marches, and other events to bring positive energy rooted in culture.

Gender Justice Program

Our Gender Justice Program offers several gender-based spaces.

Womxn That Fight (wtf) is a space founded by high school to college aged youth who are passionate about fighting for womxn's rights and reproductive justice. It is a space to engage in discussions and continue to learn about the different systems and structures that womxn of color face in the United States.

Changing the Community is a space for young men of color to learn, connect, and support each other while gaining the tools to dismantle heteropatriarchal structures and toxic masculinity.

SHADE (pending name) is a gender neutral space for and by young queer people of color.

Homework tutoring, College Readiness, and Workforce Empowerment

Every Monday after school, we open up our auditorium to all youth and provide a safe place to complete their homework and get assistance as necessary. We also offer college readiness services and can assist with all aspects of the college application. Finally, we partner with HANA's Workforce Empowerment to provide resume building, mock interviews, and related workforce development skills for youth.

Communitea

CommuniTEA is a monthly discussion series dedicated to furthering anti-oppression work. Monthly CommuniTEA spaces provide opportunities for us to gather for political education and community. CommuniTEA spaces are held in the evenings and participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share.